I am not a BA employee, I am a pilot. I wanted to make some observations. Heathrow (at least it was yesterday) was awash with red, white and blue aircraft. Mostly parked up between the runways at the eastern end of the airfield. There are also some parked around the T5 stands - some 3 aircraft to a stand. As we took off last night there were lots of aircraft parked at T5 but most seemed to be wet leased. There is a lot of rhetoric coming from both sides and I suspect that the truth lies, as it always does, somewhere in the middle. My company is carrying enormous numbers of BA customers all over the place and doing everything they possibly can to keep them. The point I am trying to make is that no matter where you stand on the issues involved the strike is having a massive impact on BA and it's reputation around the world. I hope that a resolution can be found but given that both sides have taken to the trenches with their tin hats on it is difficult to see how that is going to happen. At least in the near future.

Flicking between Sky and BBC, the message seems to be that the strikers have the upper hand. I'm hearing what I know to be untruths from Unite, but very little to refute them from BA. I agree wholeheartedly that public opinion is important, and the public is getting the message that BA is in trouble. However, it remains to be seen what action BA will take over the next few days...

Since day one of the strike, I haven't seen another change to my roster. News of rosters being filled in for duties after these three strike dates comes from a friend of mine who I trust implicitly.

That is what I am trying to get clarified. Does your friend say that these rosters are being "filled in for duties" for Tuesday-Friday this week or is it for after the second strike period (Saturday 26th - Tuesday 30th April). Forgive me, but you haven't yet made that entirely clear - perhaps ask your friend again? Thanks.

And, yes, that T-shirt has been done to make WW look like Adolf Hitler. That chap wearing it, if he is a BA employee, is going to be toast when this is over. He won't have a job with BA.

Bear in mind that the 'crowds' we keep seeing at Bedfont are not all cabin crew - lots of their family members and friends have been dragged in to swell numbers.

Statements like this are not an accurate representation, BA Cabin Crew rostering is not a bid system and there is a very effective roster equalization program in place that levels the “playing field” over a rolling 14 month period. Despite feeling that one has a rubbish roster very few people can actually demonstrate that when they ask for an audit of their past roster.

Any given HKG or NBO would have a reasonable cross section of crew seniority rostered. The more popular trips HKG, BKK, SIN, CPT etc are frequently requested by individuals or groups quite legally a couple or so times a year depending on grade up to a max of 4 for a full time CSD.

It would be naïve to deny that after roster publication that there could be a little selective sickness or discrete allocation of unfilled positions to certain individuals but in the main the system is pretty solid and well regulated.

One final thought, and this is tongue in cheek to make a point.

BASSA/UNITE have reduced their figure from 90% support yesterday morning to 80% today as the level of support from their members, that would be 8,800 out of 11,000 members. As someone who was not required to swipe in over this period, UNITE has therefore assumed that I am supporting the strike so I look forward to getting my £30 per day from them together with the other 8799 members, total £264,000 per day. Personally, I am more than happy with the current arrangement that I have with BA.

The CRC is busy with real Cabin Crew (Not volunteers). UNITE's press releases are understandably saying the opposite - This is a war and war requires propaganda, but as far as 'covering the operation' goes, BA contingencies are working remarkably well.

What the press are failing to appreciate is that very few people stuck with BA over the strike dates, so it is quite understandable that hardly anyone is flying with us at the moment. I foresee a considerable increase in flights out of LHR next weekend, judging from the number of Cabin Crew who cannot back BASSA's foolish stance.

I would also urge anyone who has been on strike that they are tight lipped on their return to work. BA is taking any threatening and bullying behaviour very seriously. Do yourself a favour and keep your mouth shut as no-one outside your BASSA forum 'enclave' backs your action. I will be operating as a skipper on Wednesday and if I get any sniff of trouble I will off-load you.

I wish they'd send a news chopper up to get pictures of all the planes at heathrow. That way we could put these ridiculous rumours to rest. And regardless of what side of the argument I'm on I cannot abide lies in a quest to garner support. These rumours, as with those about the number of people reporting for wrk, are absolutely enough to influence decisions. And those spinning these lies should be ashamed.

Do yourself a favour and keep your mouth shut as no-one outside your BASSA forum 'enclave' backs your action. I will be operating as a skipper on Wednesday and if I get any sniff of trouble I will off-load you.

I think it is appalling that you are posting such a thing. The strike is perfectly legal and it is every employees democratic right to withdraw their labour.

After all the usual life & death stuff, my number 1 priority will also be to protect strikers and non-strikers from each other.

bacabincrew, I fully agree that you have the right to withdraw your labour, but you have absolutely no right to bully or harass those who chose not to strike (and vice versa, of course).(Not suggesting YOU would, of course, but this is the subject RE was referring to).

I agree with Right Engine, I will off-load with very little provocation indeed.

I agree with you the bullying (from both sides) during this dispute is unacceptable - however it is going to be discussed on-board - that is a fact that you cannot get away from.

I do not think that intimidating crew to 'keep their mouth shut' is the right way of doing things - I would much prefer a decent Captain come into the briefing room and say something along the lines of 'dispute over for now, lets get on and do a professional job and keep the rights and wrongs for your own time - not whilst on-board'.

From conversations I have had at work over the last 24 hours there's no doubt that many who crossed the picket line, for whatever reason, are very scared about being identified because they fear retribution from the Union hardliners. BA have already told the senior managers on board, the Flight Crew, to be on the lookout for intimidation. Whilst I wouldn't use the terminology Right Engine used I know where he's coming from and I think it's only fair to point out that people need to be very careful what they say in the near future.

It sure is going to continue to be difficult for some time, I have no idea how or if we are going to reconcile the various factions - it may not be possible. As you say the issue of CRM, moving forward, is going to be fraught with difficulties.